Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

My review:

Payne and Manny’s story was so sweet, and the smexing was very hot! Loved it. When Manny was first in the books I suspected he was Butch’s father, just because he was a doctor and … oh, I dunno. The thought crossed my mind. But now that his background is out there I hope Ward does more with it. I would love to see him become … more. (Trying not to spoil, here.)

I agree with some of the other reviews I’ve seen that say it’s more V’s story than Payne’s, but I didn’t mind that at all. I did feel a little squicky in the scene with Butch, but after a brief walk away I got through that chapter and realised it was necessary for the story to move forward. Ward knows what she’s doing, so I always have faith, even if I was really disappointed with V for a time.I think he’s still my favourite brother, though.

There wasn’t enough of the other characters for my liking. No Tohr (but I’m SO glad he will be the next book!) and not enough Quinn and Blay, but again I have faith that story will end how we all want it to. Ward also occasionally annoys me with her pet phrases; in this book she overused “kibbitz”, especially in the first part of the book, and at one point twice in one sentence! And if I had a dollar for every time she uses “peanut gallery” I would be very rich 🙂 I still love her, though, and am not sure how I will survive waiting a whole year for Tohr’s book. Let’s hope the novellas come out in the meantime.